Working out in the barn today kinda quiet like at the bench and low an behold ... there standing about 20 feet away is a young Fox!! We stared at each other for a minute or 2 as I tried to figure out how to slip away and get a rifle. He decided to go try to start digging his way into the chicken coop and I hit the door runnin'. Got the rifle and came back and he was still there. He looked at me and returned to his work. I got around for a good shot ....... and MISSED!! Buck fever I guess. I didn't miss on the 2nd shot. I'm gonna have to find the den for the rest of them as I've lost about 15-20 chickens total this year. The neighbors dogs got about 1/2 but I fixed that problem already ;-).

-- John i S. IN (jdoofus@hotmail.com), July 23, 2003

Answers

Will your dogs scare them up for you? I just butchered a couple of ducks tonight. To me, ducks are easier than chickens to gut. It seems their tale protrudes more. By just cutting off the entire tail, can easily gut the bird quickly and neatly. Anyone know how to make duck liver pate?

Little Bit Farm

-- Little Bit Farm (littlebit@brightok.net), July 23, 2003.

Last night my son was out feed some baby goats we have penned right near the chicken house and saw a skulking animal out there. He came inside to send his older brother out with the shot gun. Of course by the time brother put his shoes on, and got out there with the gun whatever it might have been was gone. Vigil will be kept!

Little Bit Farm

-- Little Bit Farm (littlebit@brightok.net), July 24, 2003.

Hey John boy! What you doin missin? Har Har. Those little raskels can get a body all shook up and make'm miss. Glad you solved your problem. Take care. oldhoot. Matt. 24:44

-- old hoot (oldhoot@shawneelink.net), July 23, 2003.

skin em out, dry out the hide, and tack it to the barn door. Wont eb worth much this tim of year, but is a warning to the others

-- Stan (sopal@net-pert.com), July 23, 2003.

I already gave it to the old fella across the road, so I can't tack it up Stan. I thought about it, but I know the old guy sells pelts.

This one looked like he was probably one of this years kits. Not quite full grown yet. I really don't enjoy killin such pretty things, but they put a serious hurtin' on the chickens a couple weeks ago. 5 adult silkies and 3 chicks, 3 adult seabrights and 6 chicks and my last 4 guineas in a 3 day strech. My fault too, after the 1st raid, as I forgot to close the little hen door 2 nights after the 1st massacree. They cleaned up the rest on that turn.

Judging by the # of victims, this little guy probably has an extended family I'm gonna have to deal with yet. The coop where the Java chicks are is much more secure than the other one was, but I'm sure they could dig their way in if they have time.The old fella who I gave the pelt to said I should bait them w/ a dead chicken full of poison, but I'm afraid of killin my own dogs. I'm gonna look for the den tomorrow. I'll bet it's not far.

-- John in S. IN (jdoofus@hotmail.com), July 23, 2003.

We killed a mama coon that's being doing a number on the guineas and ducks. I'm afraid, though, from looking at her that she's got a litter of half grown babies somewhere close that are still hungry. Got a live trap set, but I don't expect much luck from that.

-- Judy in OK (tabletophomestead@earthlink.net), July 24, 2003.

what I do, when somthing is after the chickens at night, is set a#220 conibear trap, with chicken skin and bones for bait. Doesnt usually take long to get something. Since its in my chicken yard, even if it is a dog, it doesnt bother me much, since its in a yard , at night, and knowing its after my birds.

-- Stan (sopal@net-pert.com), July 24, 2003.

Maybe your right about putting something in the (now unused) fence area Stan. I better think of something today as I'm starting a long stretch of work tonight. 13 of the next 14 days. Maybe we can call this "Revenge of the Nerd IV - Battle of the Foxes".

-- John in S. IN (jdoofus@hotmail.com), July 24, 2003.